How far is San Tan Valley, AZ from Sun City, AZ?

The driving distance from San Tan Valley, AZ to Sun City, AZ is about 69.3 miles (111.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.3 miles (82.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
69.28 mi
01h 31m
Flight
51.28 mi
82.53 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from San Tan Valley.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.28 mi
Kilometers
82.53 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
69.28 mi
Kilometers
111.49 km
Drive Time
01h 31m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sun City
Thu, Oct 15, 3:16 PM MST
Return by in San Tan Valley
Thu, Oct 15, 4:47 PM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Tan Valley
2026-10-15T13:45
Arrive Sun City
Thu, Oct 15, 3:16 PM MST
Route Timing
01h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:31 AM to 11:31 AM MST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:28 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Tan Valley
9:30 PM MST
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Tempe
AZ

The third most populous city in Arizona.

From San Tan Valley
34.6 mi
00h 45m
To Sun City
34.7 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 9:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 10 mph ENE
Destination
89°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 9:00 AM MST
Wind
10 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between San Tan Valley and Sun City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Tan Valley and Sun City.

  1. 1

    Start on East Skyline Drive

    46 m · 4 sec · East Skyline Drive

  2. 2

    Continue on North Schnepf Road

    2 mi · 5 min · North Schnepf Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Combs Road

    2 mi · 4 min · East Combs Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Gantzel Road

    2 mi · 3 min · North Gantzel Road

  5. 5

    Continue on North Ironwood Road

    3.5 mi · 6 min · North Ironwood Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Gateway Expressway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Gateway Expressway

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    1975 ft · 39 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1785 ft · 36 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on Gateway Freeway

    1677 ft · 32 sec · Gateway Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    1824 ft · 37 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    2106 ft · 42 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Gateway Freeway

    3102 ft · 59 sec · Gateway Freeway

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    2077 ft · 42 sec

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    1871 ft · 25 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on Gateway Freeway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Gateway Freeway

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on AZ 202 Loop North

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Santan Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Santan Freeway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60 West: Phoenix

    1.5 mi · 3 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway

    17.4 mi · 20 min · Superstition Freeway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on I 10 North

    2934 ft · 38 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left onto Maricopa Freeway

    4.9 mi · 6 min · Maricopa Freeway

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway

    2 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway

  24. 24

    Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

    2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

  25. 25

    Continue on Papago Freeway

    10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North

    1.4 km · 1 min

  27. 27

    Continue on Agua Fria Freeway

    8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway

  28. 28

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60

    1831 ft · 37 sec

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Grand Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Grand Avenue

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between San Tan Valley and Sun City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
30 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
43.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Superstition Freeway
17.4 mi · 25%
Papago Freeway
15 mi · 22%
Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi · 13%
Maricopa Freeway
4.87 mi · 7%
Gateway Freeway
3.85 mi · 6%
North Ironwood Road
3.47 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Superstition Freeway

Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway

17.4 mi · 00h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18 mi
51.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tempe
00h 45m from San Tan Valley
Leave By
3:28 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving San Tan Valley and Sunny near Sun City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Tan Valley to Sun City?

The road trip is about 69.3 miles (111.5 km) and usually takes 01h 31m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Tempe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.6 miles from San Tan Valley and 34.7 miles from Sun City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 51.3 miles (82.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 18 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:28 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.40 one way or $22.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Tan Valley and Sunny near Sun City.

Stop Ideas Near Tempe

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Tempe and the surrounding midpoint area.
Mastro's City Hall
Food stop 8.1 mi away

Mastro's City Hall

Scottsdale , AZ
6991 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, United States
Rating 4.6/5 1,194 reviews Fine dining restaurant,Restaurant,Steak house
The Phoenix Police Museum
Scenic stop 10.3 mi away

The Phoenix Police Museum

Phoenix , AZ
Historic City Hall, 17 S 2nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003, United States
Rating 4.7/5 201 reviews Tourist attraction,Children's museum,Historical landmark,Local history museum,History museum
Tempe Economic Development
Meeting point 3 mi away

Tempe Economic Development

Tempe , AZ
31 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office
Tempe City Hall
Nearby stop 3.1 mi away

Tempe City Hall

Tempe , AZ
31 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States
Rating 4.3/5 16 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tempe.

BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

10 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

12 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

24 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
RAIL

Maricopa

42 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Tan Valley and Sun City. Straight-line distance: 51.28 mi (82.53 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 San Tan Valley

This Arizonan community is situated in the Sonoran Desert, surrounded by the San Tan Mountains Regional Park.

Population0
Coordinates33.1911000, -111.5280000
Altitude462
CountryUnited States
Sun City

#2 Sun City

Census designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Population37,499
Coordinates33.5975400, -112.2718200
Altitude348
CountryUnited States
Start: San Tan Valley (-111.528, 33.1911)
End: Sun City (-112.27182, 33.59754)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 111 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.44 gal
9.25 L · about $11.40
Round trip
$22.81
4.88 gal · 18.5 L
Estimated CO2
21.7 kg one way
Round trip: 43.4 kg / 96 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.67 $11.40 $22.81
Mid-grade $5.03 $12.28 $24.57
Premium $5.36 $13.09 $26.17
Diesel $6.27 $15.30 $30.61

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Arizona · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between San Tan Valley and Sun City. The current time is 13:45:44.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.